A temporary closure of Queensland’s North Coast rail line, which runs the length of Queensland's coastline from Brisbane to Cairns, has begun as Queensland Rail crews gear up for a mega maintenance project.
Among the maintenance work includes resleepering works on the rail line between Ayr and Home Hill.
Queensland Rail Head of Regional, Scott Cornish said the eight-day closure of the line, from April 9 to 17, would allow for track upgrades at key locations, bolstering the safety and resilience of the vital freight and passenger network.
“Crews will be undertaking a wide range of upgrades in April, including replacing old track and sleepers, building new rail bridges, maintaining signals, and refuelling station works," Mr Cornish said.
“We will also see the completion of our $77 million North Coast line passing loops project, which has enabled longer freight trains to travel between Rockhampton and Townsville, delivering more essential items to regional towns and cities faster.
“Projects like this are vital to ensuring our rail network can continue to support Queensland's rapidly growing population."
Mr Cornish said to ensure the safety of all workers and provide them with undisrupted and continuous access to the rail corridor, the line was required to be closed to rail traffic while works were underway.
“Through consultation with freight partners and customers, we've aligned rail works with major maintenance closures across the Aurizon rail network through Rockhampton, and train-free periods at mine sites connected to the Port of Gladstone, to deliver the most efficient outcome while minimising impacts to supply chains,” he said.
“The closure also coincides with significant changes to South East Queensland train services on the Beenleigh and Gold Coast lines from 29 March to Sunday 14 April 2024 to allow for crucial Cross River Rail works and Queensland Rail maintenance."
Mr Cornish thanked long distance travel train customers, freight partners and communities along the line for their patience to allow this work to be completed safely and efficiently in the rail corridor.
“Queensland Rail long-distance travel services will be replaced with road coaches or have altered operations during the planned closure," he said.
WORKS BEING COMPLETED
• Completion of $77 million North Coast line passing loops project with commissioning works at Mount Ossa
• Works on Berajondo timber bridge project with the demolition and replacement of three timber bridges with steel and concrete structures between Berajondo and Baffle
• Rerailing works between Ilbilbie and Koumala, Bloomsbury and Thoopara, Storth to Nome, Partington and Oonoonba to Townsville
• Resleepering works between Ayr and Home Hill
• Bridge repairs between Aminungo and Kuttabul
• Signalling maintenance between Elalie and Ilbilbie
• Track relaying at Tully
• Painting works at Johnstone River Bridge
• Timber bridge works between Bundaberg and Meadowvale
• Track maintenance between Tamaree and Theebine
• Track formation repairs at Yaamba
Resleepering works are to be conducted between Ayr and Home Hill this week. Photo supplied
